Towel cabinet



Jan. 21, 1941. D. HEPNER Er AL TOWEL CABINET ned March so 2 sheets-sheet 1 Original F INVENTORS,

d; y w mr E k6 m sk m mw A n Jan. 21, A1941. D, HEP-NER {g1-AL 2,229,327

TOWEL CABINET Orignql Filed March-30, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 reference may be had to Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICEQ TOWEL CABINET gain Application March 30, 1935, Serial No. 13,890 Renewed April 17, 1939 16 claims.

The invention relates to dispensing apparatus and it has particular relation to a towel cabinet for dispensing rolled toweling.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive towel cabinet for dispensing rolled toweling, which will enable promoting a more widespread use of devices 4of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a towel cabinet of improved character wherein' the clean and soiled portions of the toweling are separated and wound in compartments respectively that are maintained sealed one with respect to the other so as to thereby promote sanitation in connection with such devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a towel cabinet wherein the soiled towel is wound simultaneously as the clean towel is unwound, which is so constructed and arranged that slippage is positively prevented, from which it follows that the soiled towel may constantly be wound at the same rate that the clean towel is unwound.

Another object of the invention is to provide a towel cabinet wherein the clean towel roll and the soiled towel roller may be quicklyand easily inserted and removed.

Another .object of the invention is to provide a towel cabinet of such character that the roll of clean toweling must be inserted in a proper and predetermined manner, or else unwinding of the toweling from the clean roll is prohibited.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the drawings relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention, the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational and perspective view of a towel cabinet constructed according .to one form of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along the line `22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View on a larger calei taken substantially along the line 33 of ig. f

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken substanfially along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3,

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating diierent positions of the latching mechanism shown,

Fig. '7 isa cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 'I-l of Fig. 3,

Fig. 8 is a detail View illustrating the manner (Cl. S12-38) in which the mirror is mounted in the frame on the door of the cabinet.

Fig. 9 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 4, but illustrating a modification of the latching mechanism,

Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating another form of the invention particularly concerning the arrangement at the front of the cabinet.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of a guide for the edge of the towel;

Fig. 12 is a detail view of a diierent form of latching arrangement;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially along line |3-I3 of Fig. 12.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 7, the cabinet proper comprises a pair of vertically disposed and spaced end walls ID and II having outwardly directed flanges I2 and I3 alo-ng their vertical edges and similar flanges I5 and I 6 along their upper and lower edges respectively. The back side of the cabinet is closed by a wall I1 partially overlapping the flanges I2 and which may be spot welded thereto, as indicated at I8. As shown by Fig. 7, upper and lower walls I9 and 20 also eX- tend between the end walls I and II and partially overlap the flanges I andv I6 and are similarly welded to the latter. From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the outer framework of the cabinet accordingly comprises two end walls I0 and` II that are rigidly connected by the back wall I1 and the upper and lower walls I9 vand 20, all of which` are-welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to similarly disposed anges on the end walls.

'I'he flanges I2, I3, I5 and I6 around the edges of the end walls I0 and II, denespaces at the outer sidesofl the walls for receiving the projecting ends of shafts and operating apparatus hereinafter to be described, and such spaces normally are closed by similarly constructed housings or covers 22 and 23 that have yflanged portions 24 telescopically receiving the iianges on the end walls and which substantially abut the ends of the back wallv I 'I andupper and lower walls I9 and 20. Such cover members are removable and may be fastened in place by screws or the like, but the illustrated method of removably securing them in position vcomprises coinciding pressed-out portions `26 on the cover anges and end wall flanges thatv engage'one another. It will be understood that, by exerting a pulling force on the cover members, they may beremoved and that, when again applied, the anges of the cover will ride over the pressed-out portions on the flanges yof the end Walls until the pressed-out portions coincide, when they will move one into the other and removably lock the covers in position.

As best shown by Figs. 1 and 2, an upper, horizontally swingable door 2:8 is provided for the cabinet, which is hinged along one side thereof as indicated at 29, and this door has inwardly directed marginal flanges 39 along all of its edges that substantially abut the upper and side edges of the cabinet when the door is in its closed position. This door is provided with a mirror 3l mounted in a manner hereinafter to be described. Below the door 2B, a second door 32 is provided, which is hinged at its lower edge, as indicated at 33, so as to swing downwardly. The door 32 has similar marginal flanges 34 adapted to substantially abut the bottom and side edges of the cabinet. Along its upper edge an intermediate portion of the flange 34 is eliminated and in place thereof an inwardly directed and somewhat deeper ange 35 is provided, which includes an upwardly bowed front portion 36 and a rearward flat portion 31. The flange 35 is disposed in a plane below the flange portions 34 at either end thereof so as to provide a slot 38 through which toweling may pass to the front of the cabinet, and at opposite ends of this slot the flange portions 34 have upwardly projecting portions 39 that are disposed normally in the path of movement of the lower iiange 30 .on the door 23, from which it follows that when the upper door is closed, it automatically holds the lower door in closed position. Preferably, the inner ends of the flanges 34 at each end of the slot 38 are hanged downwardly so as to avoid sharp edges at the ends of the slot that might injure toweling passing through the slot.

Downward swinging of door 32 is limited by any suitable means but a metal strip 4l) is illustrated for this purpose. This strip is pivoted to the door and slidably passes through a slot in flanges 24 and I3 on the end wall l0 and cover 23 and has a bent over end to prevent complete Withdrawal of the strip. Preferably, the door will be limited to an open position that is somewhat above the horizontal, so as to provide a holder for rolls of clean or soiled towel when changing the toweling in the cabinet.

The cabinet thus provided is separated into two compartments by a partition 4I extending between the end walls I0 and Il and back wall l1 and which may have flanged edges welded or otherwise secured to such walls. This partition has an upper and substantially horizontal portion 42 extending frontwardly from the rear wall i1 to a point near the center of the cabinet, and then a downwardly and forwardly curved portion 43 that terminates in a straight portion 44 extending to the front edges of the end walls. When the lower door 32 is closed, the straight portion 31 of the flange 35 on the upper edge of the door moves under the partition portion 44 in close relation thereto and from this, it will be apparent that with the lower door closed, the lower compartment is entirely separated from the upper compartment.

The upper compartment is adapted to receive a roll of clean toweling 41 and the toweling, as withdrawn from the roll, is first directed over an idling roller 48 having short projecting ends 49 (shown by Fig. 3), which are movable in vertically disposed slots 5B in the end walls I0 and Il that terminate at their upper ends in off-set portions 5| which are adapted to hold the idler roller in an upper position during threading of the towel. The toweling, after passing over the idler roll 48, passes over a feed roller 53 and then outwardly over the upwardly bowed portion 36 and through the slot 38 and then downwardly along the outer side of the lower door` 32. Below the cabinet, the towel depends in a loop 54 and then is directed upwardly through a slot 55 in the bottom wall 20 and over an upwardly directed projetcion 56 which is bent over and downwardly at its uper edge so as to avoid a sharp edge engagement with the toweling. After the toweling leaves the projection 5S, it is directed under .a second feed roll 51 and then upon a take-up roller 58, which similarly has projecting end portions 59 that are guided in slots 6i! that are inclined forwardly and downwardly and which terminate yat their upper ends in horizontal portions 6I extending substantially to the front side of the cabinet.

For the purpose of guiding the edges of the towel as it passes to the feed roller 51 and preventing axial creeping of the towel and thereby insuring smooth, uniform and full contact winding thereof over the feed roller, guides 5l' are provided on the lower wall 2D at each side edge of the towel. These guides, as shown by Fig. l1, may comprise angular sheet metal elements having flanges 62 welded or otherwise'secured to the end walls. As shown, end cover portions B3 are provided on the elements to .avoid sharp edges that would engage the towel. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the element tapers partially under the feed roller 51 so as to continue the guiding approximately to the point the towel begins winding on the roller.

The feed rollers 53 and 51 have abrasive surfaces such as may be formed by covering them with sandpaper or emery cloth, so as to provide a friction surface for engaging the towel and the endsthereof have trunnions 65 journaled in the end walls I0 and Il. Beyond end wall Il the trunnions 65 have sprocket wheels 66 and the diameter of the feed rolls and the diameter of the sprocket wheels are such that the rolls are driven at the same peripheral speed. A chain B1 connecting the sprocket wheels serves to' drive them simultaneously.

The projection 56 serves to maintain the towel in .a flat and smooth condition and to insure that it is directed to the feed roll in this condition so that it will be wound properly. It will be noted that the feed roll is close to the botom wall 20 and this is desirable so as to substantially maintain the towel close to the wall. Particularly this relation prevents excess forward movement of the towel under the roll such as might occur if the towel were withdrawn rapidly by a jerk and then the feed rolls were checked suddenly by checking means to be described, in which event there would be a tendency for some of the toweling to push forwardly under the feed roll.

The roll 41 is initially of such diameter that it is wedgingly supported between the idler roller 48 and rear wall I1 and is slightly above the partition portion 42. In the arrangement shown, the roll engages |a bead 68 on the wall l1 and normally will engage the wall below the bead. If the roll is inserted as shown, pulling of the towel from the cabinet tends to pull the roll upwardly so as to relieve the wedging position of the roll and unwinding movement of the latter is readily permitted. Continued unwinding of the roll reduces its size until it drops to partition portion 42 and finally only contacts with the latter and wall l1. It will be understood that it finally loses contact with idler 48 after it drops to the partition and it may be added that the feed roll is so positioned that the towel roll does not become supported thereby.

If the operator places the roll 41 in the cabinet in such manner that the towel would leave the upper side of the roll, pulling of the towel from the cabinet would tend to move the roll downwardly and there would be a tendency to increase the wedging relation betweenl the roll, idler and wall l1 and this tendency plus the fact that the roll would have to unwind counterclockwise, would cause the roll to bind against the lower portion of bead 68 and` unwinding would be practically prohibited. Thus, the roll would have to be inserted properly if the bead 68 is employed. Without the bead, the roll may be initially unwound when in either position even though the one position tends to increase the wedging action, but the position shown is preferable so as to avoid any tendency of the roll when small or nearly exhausted to become jammed between the feed roll and partition portion 42.

The cabinet is loaded inthe following manner: The idler roller 48 is raised until .it res-ts in slot ponti-ons 5l and then while holding the roll or .allowing it to rest o-n the lower and open door, the end of the towel is readily wound over and under the feed roller 53. Then the idler is dropped to its operative position and the towel roll is placed in its posi-tion shown which automatically `brings the towel over the idler roller. In positioning the towel roll, it Inlay be 'turned to take up the length between it and the idler or the towel may be pulled from under the feed roll until this length is taken up, so that finally, when the roll is placed on the idler, there is no appreciable surplus between the bottom of the roll and the idler. Then sufficient towel is pulled from the cabinet to form the loop and to permit threading over the lower feed roll. Now, with the talee-up roller 58 in its upper position, the operator may readily insert Ithe end of the towel through slot 55 and move it under th-e feed roller 5l after which the take-up roll is moved downwardly and the end of the towel is wound thereon sufficiently to insure take-up winding with the roll resting on the lower feed roller 5l. During this threading of the towel', it ydepends downwardly over the free edge o-f the lower, open door, but this front p-or'tion of the 'towel may easily be pushed aside to permit access to the lower compartment. After threading the towel, the doors are .closed and then the towel descends along the outer face of the lower door.

The yidler at the lower end of the slots 50 does not actually contact with feed roll 53 as it is found this is not necessary, although `actual contact would not interfere with the operation. The position of the idler roller 48 results in a greater than half Contact of the feed roll 53 with the towel, and this condition, in conjunction with the reverse wind-ing around the idler roll plus the resistance to unwinding of the towel roll 4l, insures such frictional engagement of the toweling with the feed roll that no slipping occurs, and when the toweling is pulled, the feed roll turns correspondingly. A similar contact of the toweling with the feed roll 51, plus the weight of .the take-up roller 58, prevents slippage of the towel on such feed roll and since the take-up roll is turned by Contact with the feed roll, the toweling is wound up on the 'take-up roll equally to lits unwinding from the roll 41,. It has been found that there is no slippage on either feed roll, and, hence, once the loop is provided, it remains of constant length until the toweling is exhausted from the upper compartment. After itis exhausted from the upper compartment, the low-er door is opened and then lthe take-up roll may be removed by moving it upwardly until it is in the slot 6i and then by rocking it in the plane of the slot, the ends of the ltake-up roll may be removed fr-om the slot Iand the roll may be removed from the cabinet. It will be appreciated that during unwindiing of the roll 4l, the latter will tend to turn clockwise yand move .against the rear wall Il of the cabinet and that it also will have to slip on the partition portion 42. In fact, it will have to slip on .both the partition and the rear wall once it is in Contact with the latter, and these frictional resistances are helpful in preventing slipping of ,the toweling on the feed rollers, although it has been found that no slipping Ioccurs even when the roll becomes small.

For obtaining an intermittent towel withdrawing operation, a push button releasing mechanism is provided, as shown by Fligs. 4, 5 and 6. This mechanism includes a slide 'lll on the outer` side of end wall It having an elongated opening 7l which receives a sleeve 'l2 on the rig-hit end trunnfion .of the upper feed roll 53. At the Iouter side of the slide a washer I3 is provided on the sleeve forI holding the slide adjacent the end wall l li, and outwardly olf the washer, a disc 'M is secured to the trunnion so as to rotate therewith. A washer and screw 'I5 may be employed for holding the disc lon the end of the trunnion.' Preferably, that end of the shaft projecting through the disc will -be polygonal in shape :and will fit in a simil-ar opening in the disc so as to drive the latter, although a `driving engagement between the disc and shaft may be obtained in any other suitable way.

As best shown by Fig. 5, the slide has three projections 1t, l1 and 18, and it will be noted that these projections respectively have tapered faces 19, 3Q :and 8l. A similar projection--82 is provided `on the disc 'M :and 'this projection similarly has a tapered face 83`. mally tends to move the slide forwardly. The slide at its forward end terminates in a smaller portion that slidably projects through openings 81 in the flanges I3 and 24 on the end wall l0 and cover 2.3 respectively, and it will be noted that the openings 31 are of sulcient dimensions that the slide m-ay be dropped downwardly a slight amount. mt its outer end, the portion 8'5 of the slide terminates in a buitton 9H) that projects through a slightly enlarged opening in the upper door 2t, so that the operator may push the .button and move the 'slide rearwardly against the :action of the spring 34. Outward movement of .the slide is limited by a shoulder Sil on its upper edge that engages the flange I3 at the upper side of the opening 8l. Outward movement of slide also is prevented when the door is 4closed and locked by va latch arm a2 movable through a slot 93 'in end wall le and forming a pivotal portion of a lock SM on the door 23 which may be operated by means olf a key $55. With the vdoor in its closed position and locked, the arm 9?. front of ,the shoulder 89 and thus, forward movement of 'the slide is positively prevented when the door fis closed and locked. It will be appreciated, however, that the door may be unlocked and opened without disturbing the prosition of the slide as the shoulder 5l still will engage the flange i3 and it will be necessary to A spring 84 nori Cil push the button 9) downwardly before the slide can be released for forward projection by the spring 8A. The opening in the door 28 for button 98 is sufficiently large that the door may be opened or clos-ed whether or noit the latch is in its projected position o-r in its inner position with the shoulder Sil engaging the flange I3, but the door cannot be locked unltil lthe button Sil is pushed inwardly so as to cause the shoulder 8| to engage the flange I3.

As the parts are related in Fig. 4, the feed roll is locked against movement because the projection 82 on the disc 14 is positioned vertically between the projections 11 and 18 and the feed roll cannot be turned in either direction. When the button 98 is pushed inwardly, the projections 11 .and 18 move inwardly past the projection 82 on the disc, as shown by Fig. 6, and continued movement of the slide in this direction causes the tapered portion 19 of the projection 16 to engage the tapered side 83 of the projection 82' and cause the latter projection to move upwardly and, hence, the disc to turn clockwise a slight, amount which is sufficient to place the projection 82 in front of the projection 11. The slide is then maintained in the position shown by Fig. 6 until the towel is pulled, which causes the feed roll to rotate clockwise and, after a small amount of further turning of the feed roll, the projection 82 moves past the projection 11 and then the slide is returned to its position shown by Fig. 4 by the spring 84. The feed roll and other movable parts of the mechanism may then turn as the towel is pulled until a certain amount of clean toweling is withdrawn and a like amount of soiled towel is wound on the lower take-up roll, when the projection 82 again moves into a position for engagement with the projections on the slide. As the projection 82 engages the tapered face 8| on the projection 18, an inward movement of the slide occurs sufficient to enable movement of the projection 82 upwardly past the projection 18 when once again it will move between the projections 11 and 18. As soon as it is vertically between the projections, the spring again will move the slide outwardly until it is positioned as shown by Fig. 4 .and the disc is again locked against movement in either direction. It may be mentioned that the spring 84, as well as rotary frictional contacts, normally tends to tilt the left end of the slide upwardly so as to normally hold the shoulder 9| above the slots 81.

It will be noted also that the projection 16 is much longer vertically than the taper 19 and has a second tapered edge 96. If the towel is pulled easily, the taper 96 ordinarily would not function, but if the operator jerks the towel hard at the end of the pull during which the lug 82 moves over the taper 8| on lug 18 and pushes the slide rearwardly, there is a tendency to throw the slide rearwardly with enough force and momentum that the lug 16 tends to move farther back than necessary. The longer length of lug 16 and the taper 98 insures that lug 82 will move upwardly without interference of lug 16 even though the operator jerks the towel hard at the end of the pull.

As long as the door is locked, only this intermittent movement can be obtained. Unlocking of the door, however, moves the latch arm S2 out of position and then the slide can be tilted downwardly to cause the shoulder 9| to be disengaged from the flange I3 and then the spring 84 will cause the slide to move outwardly until the projections are related as shown by Fig. 5. Then the toweling can be withdrawn freely, as there is nothing to' interrupt movement of the feed roll. This condition can arise merely by unlocking the door, and it is not necessary to open the door.

The latching mechanism shown by Fig. 9 is the same as described previously, excepting that, instead of a disc 14, an arm is employed having the projection 82 at its outer end. This construction may be desirable in that it facilitates manufacture and reduces the cost.

The cabinet construction shown by Fig. 10 is somewhat similar to that shown by Fig. 2, except that a door IUI, similar to door 28, is provided, which extends throughout the Vertical height of the cabinet in front thereof. Thus, the lower door 32, as shown by Fig. 2, is not employed. In place of this lower door, a partition door |82 is provided, which is hinged at its lower edge, as indicated at |83, and which, at. its upper edge, has a flange portion |84 overlapping the front edge of the partition 4|. In this connection it may be noted that the toweling in being withdrawn from the cabinet, rests on and is guided over the upper edge of the lower door 32 in the construction shown by Fig. 2 and over the upper edge of the partition door |82 in the construction shown by Fig. 10. In the latter construction, the toweling passes over the upper edge of the partition door |62 and then downwardly between the outer door and such partition door and is withdrawn between the lower edge of the outer door and the front edge of the bottom wall 2D. A slot |85 is provided between the lower edge of the door Iill and the bottom wall 20 for this purpose and the lower edge of the partition door |82 is bent downwardly and rearwardly slightly so as to facilitate movement of the toweling past the lower edge of the outer door and through the slot.

Referring to Fig. 8, the mirror is mounted on the front door and its edges are disposed in a frame I8 of channel shape and having a longer leg III and `a shorter leg I2. Three sides of the frame may be assembled with the inner portion of leg spot welded to the door and then the mirror may be inserted by sliding it through the open side, after which the fourth side may be applied. At the ends of the fourth side, a stepped locking junction including V-shape portions I|3 and H4, is provided which positively prevents removal of the fourth side when once assembled and the frame is secured against the outer face of the door. Initially, such V-shape portions are bent towards the glass slightly and then, when the fourth side is inserted, the portion H3 rides over the portion I I4 and then snaps in behind the latter. Suflicient space between the glass and inner portion of leg I I I is provided for this purpose.

The cabinet is adapted to be hung on a wall or the like and for this purpose key hole slots H5 may be provided in the back wall I1. This manner of supporting the cabinet conceals the supporting means.

Figs. l2 and 13 illustrate another form of latching arrangement. Here, the shoulder SI is eliminated and a U-shape element |28 has its base vertically slidable in the slot 93 with one of its legs inside end wall I8 and its other leg outside the wall and between the shoulder 89 on the slide and the ange I3 on the end wall. Thus, even though the door is unlocked, the slide cannot move outwardly and it is necessary to open the door `and manually raise the element |20 until it is above the shoulder 88 and then the spring 84 throws the slide out. The element |28 then drops and rests on the upper edge of the projected slide,

but as soon as the slide is pushed inwardly, it drops in front of shoulder 89 to hold the slide against outward movement. It may be noted that the locking arm 92 also is in front of the shoulder 89 until the door is unlocked.

The invention provides a towel cabinet which is of simple construction and which can be manufactured largely from sheet metal by stamping operations. Furthermore, it provides an arrangement which enables inserting a clean roll of toweling quickly and readily and threadingit past the upper feed roll as well as threading it through the bottom wall of the cabinet and over the lower feed roll and take-up roll. It will be appreciated that the clean toweling is maintained in an upper compartment which is sealed from the lower compartment and this is desirable in that it promotes sanitation by maintaining the soiled toweling separated from the clean toweling. Moreover, the invention provides an arrangement which positively prevents slipping of the clean toweling with respect to the clean toweling feed roll and slipping between the soiled toweling and the soiled to-wel feed roll. Since the feed rolls are driven at the same rate of speed, it follows that the loop of toweling initially provided will be maintained at all times until the clean toweling is exhausted from the upper compartment. In this connection, it may be pointed out that even after the clean towel roll is exhausted, withdrawal of clean toweling will still function to turn the upper feed roll until the end of the clean toweling actually leaves the idler roll 48. Thus, waste is reduced to a minimum. The latching mechanism is of simple character and is very durable even thQu'gh sub-l jected to continuous operation over a long period of time. Furthermore, this latching mechanism provides a simple way of preventing any reverse movement of the feed rolls such as might be occasioned by pulling the soiled toweling from the lower compartment instead of pulling the clean toweling from the upper compartment. Threading of the toweling is a, simple operation and improper application of the clean roll of toweling is positively prevented because clean toweling cannot be Withdrawn unless it is properly disposed in the upper compartment.

Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet having a dispensing feed roller, a movable latching member having a pair of stops, a stop rotatable with lthe feed roller and adapted to be positioned between the pair of stops to prevent rotation of the feed roller in either direction, means for moving the latching member to allow rotation of the feed roller, and means for automatically returning the rotary stop to a position between said pair of stops, when the feed roller is operated for dispensing.

2. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet, a dispensing feed roller, a movable latching member having a pair of stops, a stop rotatable with the feed roller and adapted to be positioned between the pair of stops to prevent rotation of the feed roller in either direction, means for moving the latching member to allow rotation of the feed roller for dispensing, means for automatically returning the rotary stop to a position between said pair of stops after a predetermined degree of rotation of the feed roller in dispensing direction, said last mentioned means comprising a spring for normally returning the latching member to its original position, and means on one of the latching member stops engaging the rotary stop for moving the latching member slightly against the action of the spring until said rotary stop is disposed between the pair of stops.

3. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet having 'a feed roller, means providing for successive dispensing operations ofthe feed roller, including a roller-latching element translatable in a direction transverse to the axis of the roller to a position wherein the roller is released for continued rotation, and a key operated lock having a latch element for normally preventing movement of the roller-latching element to such releasing position, .but permitting vsuch movement of the element when the lock is actuated by the key.

4. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet .having a feed roller, means providing for successive dispensing operations of the feed roller, including a roller-latching element translatable in a direction transverse to the axis of the roller to a position wherein the roller is released for continued rotation, means normally urging the element to such released position, and a key-operated lock having a latch for normally preventing movement of the rollerlatching element to released position, but .permitting such movement of the element when the lock is actuated by the key.

5. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet having a feed roller, a movable latching member having first and second lugs spaced along the member and the first of which has a tapered side next to the second lug,

a stop rotatable with the feed roll, and means f normally urging the latching member .to a position where the second lug thereon is in position to abut the stop at one circumferential side of the latter so as to prevent rotation of the feed roller in one direction, said first and second lugs being so arranged with respect tothe stop that upon moving the latching member in one direction against said urging means, thesecond lug is first moved out of thepath of movement of the stop and then the first lug through its tapered surface engages the stop and advances it circumferentially into a position circumferentially along side the second lug, whereby the stop may continue to advance when the roller is rotated.

6. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet having a feed roller, a movable latching member having a pair of stops, a stop rotatable with the feed roller and adapted to be positioned between thepair of stops to prevent rotation of the feed roller in either direction, means for moving the latching member to allow rotation ofthe feed roller for dispensing, means on the latching member 'for engaging the rotary stop and initially moving it circumferentially after movement of the member to release the feed roller, andV means for automatically returning the rotary stop to a position between sad pair of stops upon a predetermined degree of rotation of the feed roller.

7. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a calbinet having a feed roller having a single stop thereon, a device providing for the successive dispensing operations of said feed roller including a movable latching member having means adapted when the member is in one position to cooperate only with said single stop for normally locking said feed roller against rotation in either direction, but allowing the roller to turn in one direction when the member is moved to another position, and means for automatically urging said latching member to that position in which it interrupts the movement of the feed roller in either direction after a predetermined dispensing motion of the feed roll.

8. A .device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet having a feed roller, means providing for successive dispensing operations of said roller, means providing for release of the first means whereby continued operation of the feed roller may be effected, a door for the cabinet, a lock for the door, and means directly controlled by said lock for preventing said release except when the door is unlocked but independently of door opening movement.

9. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet having a feed roller, means providing for successive dispensing operations of said roller, means translatable in a direction transverse to the axis of the roller and providing for release of the rst means whereby continued withdrawal may be effected, a key-actuated lock, and means directly controlled by said lock for preventing said release except when the lock is unlocked.

10. A cabinet for dispensing sheet material, having therein first means which is movable in either direction and which must move in one direction if material is to be obtained, a first stop 35 movable by said means, a latching member,

' means yieldably urging the member to an initial position from which it is' moved to release the rst stop, said member having second and third stops between which said first stop is adapted to 4.0 be received to prevent motion of said rst means in either direction, and means by which engagement of the iirst stop with the second moves the member against the action of its urging means whereby to cause the first stop to be received be- 45 tween the second and third stops.

1l. A sheetl dispensing apparatus having means for controlling the amount of dispensing and which must move if dispensing is to occur, a releasable stop mechanism for said controlling 50 means, including a single stop movable with the controlling means, a movable stop-release part having iirst means engageable with said single stop to prevent motion of said stop in either direction, second means on said release part engageable with 55 said single stop after movement of said release part to release position and adapted to move said single stop out of stopping relation with said second means and in the same direction in which the single stop moved to arrive at stop position.

12. A cabinet for dispensing sheet material, comprising a dispensing control means, including a part which moves as dispensing occurs, a releasable stop mechanism for limiting the motion of said pant, including a stop-releasing element 65 normally yieldably urged to a position at which the usual stopping operation of said stop mechanism will occur as dispensing proceeds, releasable means for limiting motion of said element at said position, said stop-releasing element being adapted when said limiting means is released, to be automatically yieldably urged away from said position and to a position at which the stop mechmechanism no longer functions, whereby th dispensing control means can be freely moved to allow servicing of the cabinet.

13.v A cabinet for dispensing sheet material, comprising a dispensing control means, including a part which moves as dispensing occurs, a releasable stop mechanism for limiting the degree of motion of said part, including a stop-releasing element normally yieldably urged to a position at which the usual stopping operation oi said stop mechanism will occur as dispensing proceeds, releasable means for limiting motion of said ele-- ment at said position, said stop-releasing element being adapted when said limiting means is released, to be automatically yieldably urged away from said position and to a position at which the stop mechanism no longer functions, whereby the dispensing control means can be freely moved to allow servicing of the cabinet, the motions of said stop-releasing element being in the same direction respectively when moving toward and away from the position at which it is limited by said releasable limiting means.

14. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet having a feed roll, a latch having means engagealble with a single stop on the roll to prevent rotation of the feed roll in either direction, and means for automatically moving said latch to cause said means to engage said single stop to prevent such rotations of said feed roll.

15. A device for dispensing sheet material comprising, a cabinet having therein a dispensing roller arranged between side walls of the cabinet, means externally of one of said side walls providing for successive operation of said dispensing roller, including a latching member manually movable in one direction from an initial position to permit operation of the roller and automatically movable in' the opposite direction from said initial position to allow unlimited motion of the roller in dispensing direction, and means movable in a slot in one of said side walls for normally holding said latching member at said initial position, and movable to allow said automatic motion of the member to permit unlimited motion of the. roller in dispensing direction.

16. A device for dispensing sheet material cornprising, a cabinet having a feed roller, means providing for successive dispensing operations of the feed roller, including a roller-latching element movable to a position wherein the roller is released for continued rotation, and a key-operated lock having a latch element for normally preventing movement of the roller-latching element to such releasing position', but permitting such movement of the element when the lock is actuated by the key.

DAN HEPNER. JULIUS ZEMMOL. JOSEPH GREENBAUM. 

